..::Football III::..

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De Gea: Spain were lucky against Ukraine

David de Gea admits Spain needed some luck to beat Ukraine on Monday as they rounded off their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win.

The Manchester United goalkeeper was handed his seventh international cap as coach Vicente del Bosque named an experimental line-up for the trip to Kiev, with Mario Gaspar making the difference while Cesc Fabregas missed a penalty.

De Gea produced a number of smart saves in the first half and the 24-year-old shot-stopper said he had to be on form to keep out the hosts.

"The whole team had a great match," De Gea told TVE.

"We knew we were coming to a very difficult stadium to face a tough team who needed to win, so it was a very good victory for us.

"I always try to do my best and I had a good game. It was important to win, so I'm very happy. We had some luck, but we must continue playing like this.

"I try to play at my highest level all the time and I want to make it difficult for the coach to choose his No.1 goalkeeper ahead of the Euros.

"I want to stay at the level I was at last season, which I think was very high. It's difficult to stay consistent, but I want to continue growing and improving."
De Gea's team-mate Thiago Alcantara was also given a start for La Roja and he was full of praise for the keeper and believes the young players who featured on Monday can add a lot to the team.

"The word sensational doesn't do De Gea's performance justice," he said. "He was magnificent and saved everything that came his way.

"Those of us who don't play as regularly, like me in particular after not being in the squad for a long time, were really pumped up for the game.

"We've got hundreds of players fighting for places in the national team. We youngsters have what it takes to keep coming along."

 

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De Gea Ukraine match 1keth pattama saves set 1kak karala​

 

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Fabregas misses penalty on 100th Spain appearance

Cesc Fabregas missed the chance to mark his 100th appearance for Spain with a goal after missing a penalty in the 1-0 win over Ukraine on Monday.

In starting the Euro 2016 qualifying match in Kiev, the midfielder joined the likes of Iker Casillas, Xavi, Raul, Fernando Torres and Sergio Ramos in surpassing the milestone of a century of caps.

With his side 1-0 up thanks to a Mario Gaspar goal in the first half, Fabregas - who was given the captain's armband - won a penalty and stepped up, only to see his effort saved by Andriy Pyatov. It is the fourth spot kick he has missed in open play for the national team.

Fabregas made his international debut at just 18, in which he helped his side to a 3-2 win over Cote d'Ivoire in 2006. Over nine years later, he remains part of the national set up and is one of their 10 most capped players.

The 28-year-old has won a World Cup and two European Championships with La Roja and will hope to retain the trophy in France this summer after lifting it in 2008 and 2012.

 

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Jagielka: England squad could be something special

Stand-in England captain Phil Jagielka feels the country's young squad has the potential to become something special after a 3-0 win over Lithuania on Monday sealed a 100 per cent record in Euro 2016 qualification.

The visitors cruised to victory in Vilnius thanks to a deflected Ross Barkley effort, a Giedrius Arlauskis own goal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's powerful finish.England are the only team in the Euro 2016 campaign not to drop a single point and just the sixth-ever to do that in European Championship qualification.

Jagielka - captain for the match with Wayne Rooney and Gary Cahill rested - was encouraged by what he saw from England's fringe players and feels the squad has the potential to be great.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult task to win all 10, but that was the gameplan from day one and thankfully we managed to do it," he told ITV.

"Obviously the squad was mixed up a little bit but it proves what good strength we have got and, obviously with the goalscorers, what good youth we have got coming through. Hopefully if we nurture them right they could be something special."

The Everton defender, 33, then turned his attention to the upcoming friendly matches England have against Spain, France and Germany - some of the favourites to win Euro 2016. "They are massive," said Jagielka. "Obviously we have chosen to play against some really tough nations before we travel out to France so it is going to be difficult to try and get in the team.

"But if you get in the team they are going to be hard games to go out and prove yourselves. But that is what we are all about, we are all competing for the same goal, we want to be on the plane to get out to France and once we get out there we want to be part of a successful England team."The tougher the games the better, and hopefully all of us who played here have done ourselves no harm."

 

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European Championship Qualifying Group Stage Fixtures 2015.10.13

European Championship Qualifying Group Stage Fixtures 2015.10.13

Group A

Latvia Vs Kazakhstan

Netherlands Vs Czech Republic

Turkey Vs Iceland

Group B

Belgium Vs Israel

Cyprus Vs Bosnia

Wales Vs Andorra

Group H

Bulgaria Vs Azerbaijan

Italy Vs Norway

Malta Vs Croatia​

 

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Thawa 1ka year 1kek late wela awanam LVG wa replace karanna thibba​

mona team ekata eida kiyala hithaganna bae.
M City me para title eka win kale naththam Pellegrini wa sack karai.habai city la guardiola ganath interst ekak thiyenawane.
samahara wita Bayern yannath eda thienawa

http://www.elakiri.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

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Hodgson proud of England's perfect Euro 2016 qualifying record

""

England la hamadama qualifiers wala hodata play karala tournament ekata giyata passe kanawa
http://www.elakiri.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

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mona team ekata eida kiyala hithaganna bae.
M City me para title eka win kale naththam Pellegrini wa sack karai.habai city la guardiola ganath interst ekak thiyenawane.
samahara wita Bayern yannath eda thienawa

Ow bro matath hithenne Ancelotti CITY thamai EPL enawanam Ahema nathi unoth oya kiwwa wage Bayern wennath puluwan.

& PSG's Laurent Blanc ge situation 1kath clear naha neda bro.1ka nisa PSG th sure naha

​

 

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Ow bro matath hithenne Ancelotti CITY thamai EPL enawanam Ahema nathi unoth oya kiwwa wage Bayern wennath puluwan.

& PSG's Laurent Blanc ge situation 1kath clear naha neda bro.1ka nisa PSG th sure naha

​

habai hadiidye wath jose murineo sack kaloth Chelsea yannath puluwan.
ow habai PSG & Bayern la degolloma me season eke patta.me para CL walath hoda gamek dei
http://www.elakiri.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

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Bebe still hoping for Manchester United return

Manchester United flop Bebe is hoping he can use his summer move to La Liga to rebuild his reputation and perhaps even earn a return to Old Trafford.

The Portuguese attacker made a shock £8 million switch to United from Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2010, but struggled to make an impact; then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson later admitted he had never seen him play before signing him.

Several loan spells followed before he had a breakout campaign in 2013-14 with Pacos de Ferreira, with his 12 goals in 27 appearances convincing Benfica to hand him a four-year contract.

The 25-year-old, though, failed to make an impression with the Primeira Liga champions, but, having secured a summer loan to Rayo Vallecano, is hoping to dazzle in Spain and get noticed by Europe’s biggest clubs again.

“I've never thought about that [returning to United], but nothing is impossible," he told Portuguese newspaper Publico when asked about the prospect of earning a return to Old Trafford.

“If I score 10 goals in La Liga then for sure, I'll be able to sign for a big club. If I score 10 goals here at Rayo Vallecano I'm going to have many big teams chasing me again next year.”

 

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Bebe still hoping for Manchester United return

Ane epa.oya inna thanaka inna​

 

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Barcelona lack punch of last season - Suarez

Luis Suarez believes Barcelona have lacked the same "punch" this season that they possessed during their treble-winning campaign.

Luis Enrique's men won the Champions League, La Liga and the Copa del Rey in spectacular style last season.

However, they have made a stuttering start to their 2015-16 campaign, losing to Athletic in the Supercopa de Espana, as well as suffering two defeats in their opening seven league games.

While Suarez concedes the European champions have thus far failed to hit the heights of last term, he is shocked that Barca's own supporters have been jeering them at Camp Nou in recent matches.

"Last season was amazing with the treble and now, because we lost a game, we're judged like this," the Uruguay international, 28, told TV3. "The whistling makes no sense.

"We're not packing the same punch as last season. However, something similar happened: we were winning during the opening games, but the feeling was that we weren't really there.

"In the second half of the campaign everything changed and we were spectacular."

Suarez admitted Barca have been hit hard by the absence of Lionel Messi, who is expected to be out until the tail end of November with a knee injury, and he has challenged his team-mates to fill the void left by the Argentina captain.

"Everything's easier with Leo, but we have to try to make it easy without him," the former Liverpool forward added.

"It's our responsibility to work hard, and it's not a question of replacing him."

 

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Bayern confirm Coman injury not serious

An injury picked up while representing France Under-21s is not as bad as first feared for Kingsley Coman, Bayern Munich have confirmed.

The 19-year-old lasted just 23 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Scotland in a UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifier on Saturday.

However, on Tuesday, Bayern announced via their official Twitter feed that Coman "has only suffered light muscular damage in one of his thighs".

The on-loan Juventus forward has scored two goals in four Bundesliga outings this season and could be available to Pep Guardiola for Saturday's meeting with Werder Bremen.

 

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Allardyce demands defensive improvement at Sunderland

Sam Allardyce believes tightening Sunderland's fragile defence is key to transforming their fortunes.

Allardyce was named manager at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, following Dick Advocaat's decision to quit and return to the Netherlands, and he inherits a Sunderland team without a win in the first eight Premier League games this season.

Key to their struggles has been a porous backline that has shipped 18 goals in eight league games and former centre-back Allardyce is hoping to improve that woeful record.

He told the club's official website: "I have come across challenges like this before and managed to pull clubs out of the relegation zone and hopefully I can do that again. The challenge is a big one but I'm a big man and I like a challenge.

"I don't know exactly how good we are as a squad but I know a lot of the players. I feel that if I improve the defensive record, prioritise that first, we can start winning football matches.

"I know it's a difficult job but like everything else you believe in yourself as a manager. I've got to believe that when I get into the players I can make them better and get out of the position we're in.

"Getting settled in is the hardest part as the season is underway and each game comes around quickly. We have to prepare for the first game at West Brom and I have to install some confidence in the players so we can go one better than we did against West Ham."

Allardyce's style of football has been criticised over the years during spells at Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham but he is hoping to entertain the supporters as well as drag the club out of the relegation zone.

"We're averaging over 40,000 and the fans haven't had a lot to cheer. I need to give them some entertainment at home and, more importantly, winning more matches if we want to get out of this problem," he added.

"It's about improving the players that are here at the moment and improving the squad overall. Behind the scenes, it's about getting everyone pulling in the same direction.

"The lads appear to be in a relatively positive frame of mind and I need to work out how best to get them to play, individually and collectively."

 

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Welbeck on Wenger critics: You can't fault him

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck has defended Arsene Wenger in the wake of recent criticism and feels the Frenchman does not deserve the flak he receives.

The veteran manager has faced difficulties in the opening months of the new season following underwhelming performances against West Ham, Liverpool, Dinamo Zagreb, Chelsea and Olympiacos.

However, the Gunners have climbed to second place in the Premier League table again following their 3-0 win over Manchester United before the international break and Welbeck feels Wenger has done a great job at Arsenal.

"I can only speak for myself, and I’ve not been there as long as some of the other players," Welbeck told The National.

"Obviously, Arsene's done a great job at Arsenal, and you can't really fault what he's done.

"When I've been there he’s been great with me and great with the other lads as well from what I've seen. People are entitled to their own opinion. It doesn't mean what they say is right."

Welbeck underwent knee surgery in September and has yet to feature for Arsenal this season, but the England international hopes to be back in contention around January.

 

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Darmian: Joining Manchester United an easy decision

Matteo Darmian has stressed that joining Manchester United was an easy decision for him as he feels the Premier League is one of the best in the world.

The Italy international joined United from Torino in July and he has no regrets over his decision to move to England.

"I used to watch the Premier League on television and it was well known that it was perhaps one of the best leagues in the world," Darmian told the official United website.

"So, when I got the call from United, I didn't have to think twice about it at all.

"For me, it was a big step in my career and a really big opportunity, personally, which I didn't want to let slip away.

"Of course, Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs, not just in England but the whole world. Because of the history as well.

"All these factors made it an easy decision for me."

Darmian, 25, has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United so far this campaign.

 

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Ronaldo presented with record fourth Golden Shoe award

Cristiano Ronaldo has been presented with a record fourth Golden Shoe award in a ceremony on Tuesday, after scoring 48 goals in the 2014-15 season.

Ronaldo collected the award, given to Europe's highest goalscorer over a season, ahead of rival Lionel Messi, as the Barcelona forward managed a total of 43 goals, two less than his La Liga counterpart.

The former Manchester United attacker has won the award on three previous occasions, twice while at current club Real Madrid and once when leading the forward line at Old Trafford.

The 30-year-old ended the last campaign without any silverware at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Messi's Barcelona swept to an impressive treble, but the Portugal captain has again been recognised for his individual goalscoring exploits.

Ronaldo's remarkable goalscoring record was recently commended by the Madrid club, with a ceremony dedicated to the forward overtaking club legend Raul as the all-time top goalscorer for Los Blancos and the latest Golden Shoe award only further recognises his achievements.

 

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Congratulations C.Ronaldo!

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Ronaldo: I'm not satisfied


Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that he is not satisfied with winning a record fourth Golden Shoe, suggesting he wants to become the only player to win his fifth and sixth trophy, awarded for sitting top of the European goal charts.

Ronaldo became the first player in history to win the prestigious individual trophy for a fourth time by netting 48 goals in La Liga last season, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.

He previously won the award while at Manchester United in 2007-08 and at Madrid in 2010-11 and 2013-14.

The 30-year-old received the prize during a ceremony at the Westin Palace Hotel in Madrid on Tuesday, but remains unsatisfied with his trophy haul, wanting more individual awards and further silverware for Madrid.

"I am not satisfied, I want more. I'm the only one that has four but I want the fifth and the sixth," he said at the ceremony in Madrid.

"Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world and we always have to win titles.

"I want the Champions League, La Liga and the Copa del Rey."

Ronaldo also paid tributes to his team-mates for helping him on the way to the record fourth Golden Shoe.

"This is another great moment in my career. Receiving the fourth Golden Shoe is a great honour and a privilege," Ronaldo said after receiving the award from club president Florentino Perez.

"But without my team-mates, I would not be able to win individual awards."

Ronaldo faces stiff competition from the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Aguero and Messi in the race for the 2015-16 Golden Shoe, netting five so far this term but trailing the Bayern Munich striker by seven goals.

 

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Welbeck targets January return for Arsenal

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck hopes to be back in action in January after missing the whole of the season so far through injury.

The former Manchester United forward had knee surgery in early September in order to rectify a persistent problem picked up at the back end of the previous campaign.

Welbeck admitted it has been tough to watch the Gunners from the sidelines this term but has set his sights on a comeback just after the Christmas period.

"It's difficult to put an exact date on it, around the New Year," he told The National when asked about his return date.

"After I had the operation I was in a leg brace for about four weeks, which wasn't easy. I had to do a lot of machine work, about six hours a day.

"It's good to finally be out of the brace now and walking. It feels like I'm getting that little bit closer to getting back out on the pitch.

"It's frustrating being on the sidelines and watching on – you feel kind of helpless. But you just have to keep motivated. The appetite's there, you just want to get back out on the pitch and show what you can do.

"Obviously there's some days when you just want to be back out there playing, but it's a process and something that I've learnt to deal with in time. But it's hard."

Welbeck hopes to help Arsenal push for a first Premier League title since 2004 when he returns to action as he believes the top flight's competitive nature gives a number of sides a chance of success this season.

"In the Premier League there's teams in the lower half of the table beating teams in the top half and that just shows you the level of competition throughout the whole league," added the England striker.

"There's not one game where you can take your foot off the gas and we've got to be prepared mentally, physically and tactically for every single match we go into to.

"It's the same for every single team. It doesn't give one side a better opportunity to win the league. Every three points is going to be vital. And if you get those wins and keep racking them up that's going to be the most important thing come May."